I saw a video clip of a sparse crowd of besotted sycophants singing Happy Birthday to the president at a parade in his honor in Washington, DC, last Saturday.
Sad.
But the nation’s party wasn’t there that day. It was in 2,000 other places, where people were protesting monarchy. In cities, towns, and parks. On streets, roads, and boulevards.
The parade was a dud. The protests were a blast.
By the way, Che Guevara was also born on June 14. Happy birthday, Che.
Viva la Revolución!
Indeed, this June 14 was a special day for our nation and doubly special for Shepherdstown.
On June 14, 1775, 250 years ago, the Continental Army was established by an act of Congress for the sole purpose of supporting the American Revolution, a revolution whose aim was to uproot monarchy and plant democracy in this land.
Long live the Revolution!
Two-hundred-fifty years ago this month, 98 men—toting muskets, knives, and tomahawks—gathered a mile outside Shepherdstown on a grassy site from whence they would begin a march to join General Washington in Cambridge, Massachusetts, as one of the first of 10 companies to make up the newly founded army. It took them only 25 days on foot to traverse 600 miles.
Hence, the legendary name: “The Beeline March.”
When freedom is at stake, there’s no time to dawdle.
A brass plaque at Morgan’s Grove Park marks that momentous event. Last Saturday hundreds of people, including reenactors and descendants of those 98 men, gathered at the site to commemorate them, their courage, their patriotism, and their determination to oust a king.
Later that same day, 1,400 patriots assembled in the center of town along King Street (actually North King Street, or No. King Street!!) to reclaim and proclaim—along with millions of other citizens across our country—the founding creed of our nation:
We are a nation of laws, not men. No one is above the law. No kings allowed!
Shepherdstown is a small town (257 acres; population 1,537) in West (too red, by God) Virginia. It was founded December 23, 1762—by Thomas Shepherd—before the Boston Tea Party, the Battle of Lexington, the Declaration of Independence, the Revolutionary War, the Continental Army, and the United States of America itself.
Shepherdstown is an old town.
In 1762 King George III ruled the 13 colonies, including our town.
In 1775 a corps of 98 local yeomen made a beeline from our town to Cambridge.
And in 2025, 1,400 people made haste to Shepherdstown to stand up against tyranny.
When freedom is at stake, there’s no time to dawdle.
* * *
650 people gathered in the square in Martinsburg on June 14, and I was fortunate enough to be one of them. NO KINGS!
Bravo! Edmund Burke warned us: “All tyranny needs to gain a foothold is for people of good conscience to remain silent.” Living in Washington County, Maryland and as members of the group Indivisible, my wife and I participated in the NO KINGS protest in Hagerstown. An enthusiastic crowd of 800 people gathered, heard speeches, chanted, marched and defended democracy. Burke is right—we must not remain silent!
No time to dawdle, no time to despair. And in Shepherdstown (and elsewhere close-by!) on June 14th, 2025, we didn’t. And we won’t, unceasingly. No kings! Restore Democracy!
I was one of the 650 in Martinsburg on June 14. I always have taken my duties as citizen seriously. I consider myself a Patriot. I was asked by a lady at the demonstration, “Why are you here?” I told her, “Because I love democracy.” Now we’re faced with the prospect of war with Iran because our “wannabe king” has decided to flaunt his large, insecure ego, and once and for all, prove to the world that he’s really a tough guy. Don’t bother preparing the nation for the sacrifices of blood and treasure we’ll be required to invest in this latest escapade. The freedoms that those Beeline Marchers fought for so long ago, when the odds were totally arrayed against them, are still worth fighting for. However, we’re in uncharted territory now. I’m gravely concerned that war will not bode well for the continuation of our democratic experiment. Remain vigilant; remain alert; remain involved. No Kings now! No Kings forever!
Al & I made a bee line to Queen Street in Martinsburg that day. And later to (NO!) King Street in Shepherdstown…such an important stand against this tank loving, bomb throwing tyrant & his mindless minions. To be in those throngs – witnessing the many honks & waves of joy & support fed our spirits. Seeing people converge in cities large & towns small was powerful & confirmation of our solidarity. Thank you for the reminder of our unique place in the history of our great country Randy… heaven help us all, together, to resist & persist…
We were in the throng lining a major road through Arlington. It was an inspiring experience. I was holding a sign that said “No Kings” on one side and “No War on Iran” on the other. The would-be king did not take my advice.
Wonderful column!!! Thanks!!! Shepherdstown and the Eastern Panhandle showed up and showed out on June 14. We had 700 folks in Martinsburg and over 200 in Berkeley Springs. All 2300 actions and 5 to 12 million participants were organized from the grassroots locally. We are moving together across the country. This is a Movement Moment. Savor it Taste it.
We have to keep protesting since theTrump Administration has acted illegally and unconstitutionally in ways that weaken our democracy, hurt the economy, roll back protections for public health and the environment, and put health care and Social Security benefits at risk for millions of Americans. Since the legislative branch and the judicial branch have succumbed to cowardice, the nation is in danger without guardrails.
And in Charlottesville, at least 1,000 gathered with signs, good cheer, respect for one another and a common bond–No Kings, No Tyranny, No T-Rump!
Thanks for reminding us of Shepherdstown’s place in the history of our country. between your blog and the no kings demonstration i’m feeling like we really can save our democracy.
We went to Philly for the No Kings crowd of 80,000. It was good to be in the place where the continental congress made that resolution for the Berkeley Rifleman to march to Cambridge. Definitely wanted to avoid DC and the sad squeaky tank parade that day.
We had about 8000 people show up here in Albuquerque, including the mayor and our US representative.
A lot of people wore Burger King crowns and a lot of signs were plays on the phrase “faux king,” although one proclaimed STEPHEN MILLER EATS HIS BOOGERS.